Giving Thanks Stationery

The ancient Egyptians may have been first to come up with the idea of relief printing. Ask students why they think this art technique is still so popular today?

Students find a use for their Giving Thanks Stationery? Write a letter thanking someone for sharing something with the class? A Thanksgiving poem? Use Crayola® Colored Pencils to experiment with designs that complement the theme. Students use their imagination to create a clever and unique printing. stamp.

Cover the art area with recycled newspaper. Draw the design on a foam tray with a colored pencil. If using any letters, make sure they are backwards so they will print properly. Use the tip and end of your colored pencil to make indentations in the tray. Cut out the section of foam tray needed for the stamp with Crayola Scissors.

With a paintbrush, cover your stamp with one color of Crayola Washable Paint. Press the stamp down on the paper or envelope. Lift stamp gently. Air dry flat.

To use another color, rinse off your printing stamp, dry, and repeat. Air dry flat.

students write a letter, poem, or thank-you note in their very best penmanship on personalized letterhead.

Students work in small groups to discuss reasons why one would be thankful, or grateful, for something. Ask one student in the group to make a list of items suggested by students on a white board and display it in the classroom for easy reference.

Working in teams of two, students write a letter of thanks for a teammate. Prior to the writing, students interview each other to find out what each is grateful for. Add an original sketch of the teammate and display it in the classroom along with the letter.

If additional materials are available, allow students to try relief printing on surfaces such as fabrics, paper bags, wood, and cardboard.